Declaring Dangerous Goods

Procedures for declaring Dangerous Goods (DG). Information with respect to changes in Regulations, weight limitation of First Schedule items at respective terminals, berths, jetties and anchorage, and the list of First Schedule items can be obtained in the Appendices.

Procedures for Dangerous Goods (DG) declaration

1. Reference is made to Regulations 40, 43 and 44 of the MPA (Dangerous Goods, Petroleum and Explosives) Regulations 2005 wherein the owner, agent or master of any arriving vessel carrying dangerous goods or intending to load or discharge dangerous goods in the port is required to give prior notice. He shall not load or discharge such cargo from his vessel until permission from the Port Master has been obtained.

2. Pursuant to Regulation 76(3) of the above mentioned Regulations, the following are to be complied, with respect of the advance notification to be submitted under the said regulations 40, 43 and 44:

• Submission of Dangerous Goods (DG) declaration through PSA PORTNET
  • For all DG passing through PSA terminals, the above mentioned declaration shall be submitted through PSA PORTNET;
  • For enquiry on submission of DG declaration via PSA PORTNET, you may call the helpdesk at Tel: 6771 7711 or 6321 1173.
• Submission of Dangerous Goods (DG) declaration through JP-Online.
  • For all DG passing through Jurong Port, the above mentioned notification shall be submitted through JP-Online;
  • For enquiry on submission of dangerous goods notification via JP-Online, you may call the helpdesk at Tel: 6413 9600.
• Submission of Dangerous Goods (DG) declaration through MPA Marinet.
  • For all DG to be handled or in transit at a location other than PSA Terminals and Jurong Port e.g. Sudong Explosive Anchorage, the above mentioned declaration may be submitted through MPA Marinet;
  • For enquiry on submission of DG declaration via MPA Marinet, you may call the helpdesk at Tel: 6375 1255.

3. For submission of Dangerous Goods (DG) declaration through PSA PORTNET, JP-Online and MPA Marinet, the declaration shall be submitted not less than 12 hours:

• Before the vessel’s arrival for discharging or in transit DG in the port; or
• Before the loading of DG onto a vessel.

4. For Dangerous Goods (DG) to be handled/in-transit at a location other than PSA Terminals and Jurong Port, the declaration may be submitted in hard copy.

• The completed declaration forms PM4-0485A4 shall be transmitted to MPA’s Hazardous Cargo Section via Fax: 6325 2400;
• The said declaration form shall be submitted not less than 24 hours prior to the vessel’s reported time of arrival in the case of dangerous goods in transit or for discharging in the port. When loading DG, 24 hours prior to commencement of loading.
• The said declaration must be completed neatly and clearly:
  • The correct technical name, IMO Class, UN Number and flash point (if applicable) must be given. Trade names alone shall not be used.
  • The estimated date and time of vessel’s arrival in the case of DG for discharging or in transit must be stated.
  • Similarly in the case of loading, the estimated date and time of loading must be given.
  • All weights and temperatures shall be given in metric units (i.e. kilograms and degrees Celsius).
  • Container numbers and stowage positions (if applicable) are to be clearly indicated.
  • At the anchorage when loading or discharging MPA First Schedule Dangerous Goods (DG), the licence numbers of the harbour craft must be declared in the column provided to the said declaration form.

5. For the following types of cargo, the documents listed below shall be submitted with the Dangerous Goods (DG) declaration:

• Ammonium Nitrate
  Certificate of Analysis (COA) issued by a body deemed competent by the Authority. The percentage of total combustible matter (including organic matter calculated as carbon) must be clearly stated in the certificate.
• Radioactive Substances
  • The approval from the Radiation Protection and Nuclear Science Department (RPNSD);
  • To obtain the approval from RPNSD, you should complete the Transit form or Transhipment form by RPNSD and submit together with the details of package design, Certificate of approval of package design, the Shipper’s certificate and certification by competent authority of the types and quantities of radioactive materials in the shipment to:
    • Director
      Radiation Protection and Nuclear Science Department
      National Environment Agency
      Environment Building
      3rd Storey, Annex Block
      40 Scotts Road, Singapore 228231
      Tel No: (+65) 6731 9577
      Fax No: (+65) 6731 9585
• Nuclear Material
  • From 22 October 2014, all transit of nuclear material through Singapore will require a licence from the National Environment Agency (NEA) Radiation Protection and Nuclear Science Department (RPNSD). The nuclear material is as defined under Radiation Protection Act (RPA) and extracted below:
  • "Nuclear Material" means:
    • Plutonium except plutonium with an isotopic concentration of plutonium-238 exceeding 80%;
    • Uranium-233;
    • Uranium containing uranium-233 or uranium-235 or both in such an amount that the abundance ratio of the sum of those isotopes to uranium-238 is greater than the ratio of uranium-235 to uranium-238 occuring in nature;
    • Uranium with an isotopic concentration equal to that occuring in nature; or
    • Any material containing one or more of the foregoing, that is used for peaceful purposes, but does not include uranium in the form of ore or ore residue.
  • The licence fee is $40 per consignment, similar to the current licence fee for import and export of radioactive material.
  • In addition to NEA's licence, approval from Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) is also required for shipment of nuclear material transiting through Singapore.
  • Please contact Mr Tan Yoke Ping at email:  TAN_Yoke_Ping@nea.gov.sg should you require further clarification.

6. For submission storage of Dangerous Goods (DG) at the terminals, port users should enquire with the relevant terminal operators and obtain their approval where necessary.

7. Please note that some Dangerous Goods (DG) are also strategic goods controlled under the Strategic Goods (Control) Act. Unless otherwise stated, a strategic goods TradeNet® permit will be required prior to the export, transhipment, or bringing in transit of goods that are controlled as strategic goods. You may refer to the Strategic Goods Control List to check if your items are strategic goods. For more information on strategic goods control, you may refer to the Strategic Goods Control website or contact the Singapore Customs Call Centre at 6355 2000

8. For enquiries or any clarification concerning these procedures for Dangerous Goods (DG) declaration, please contact us at:

Hazardous Cargo Section
Marine Environment & Safety Department
Maritime & Port Authority of Singapore
7B Keppel Road #21-07
Tanjong Pagar Complex
Singapore 089055
Tel: (+65) 6325 2421
Fax: (+65) 6325 2400
Email: hazmat@mpa.gov.sg

See also:

Appendix 1 - Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (Dangerous Goods, Petroleum and Explosives) Regulations 2005

Appendix 2 - Quantity of First Schedule Dangerous Goods Which May Remain on Board Any Vessel at Any Jurong Port Container Berth, PSA Container Berth, Conventional Berth, the Tuas Jetty or the Sudong Explosive Anchorage

Notice on New Licensing Requirement for Transportation of Nuclear Material

Changes to Permit Exemptions under Regulations 13(2) of the Strategic Goods (Control) Regulations (MPA PMC No. 13 of 2014)

FAQ

Q1: What is the Group classification of a particular Dangerous Good (DG)?

A1: MPA will adhere to the International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code on the transportation and storage of Dangerous Goods (DG) for sea transportation. With effect from 31 Jan 05, enquiries regarding group classification of Dangerous Goods (DG) (e.g. PSA Group 1S, 2S, 3 etc.) for storage at terminals, please direct them to the respective terminals, e.g. PSA or Jurong Port terminals.

Q2: What is the weight limitation of First Schedule Dangerous Goods (DG)?

A2: The weight limitation on First Schedule DG can be found in Appendix 2 - Quantity of First Schedule Dangerous Goods Which May Remain on Board Any Vessel at Any Jurong Port Container Berth, PSA Container Berth, Conventional Berth, the Tuas Jetty or the Sudong Explosive Anchorage.

Q3: Are commodities Dangerous Goods (DG) or general cargo?

A3: Please obtain a complete Safety Data Sheet (SDS) of the commodity and fax in or email to MPA Hazardous Cargo Section for verification.

Fax no.: (+65) 6325 2400 
Email: hazmat@mpa.gov.sg

Q4: Where can I obtain the application form from Radiation Protection and Nuclear Science Department (RPNSD) to apply the permit for my radioactive substance?

A4: You may download the application form - Application for Approval for Transit of Shipment of Radioactive Materials. Complete the form and submit it together with other supporting documents (as stated in the Procedure for Dangerous Goods (DG) Declaration) to RPNSD for application of the permit.